Skin-to-Skin Contact Linked to Improved Cognitive Progress in Premature Babies, New French Study finds
PARIS – Premature babies who recieve skin-to-skin contact with a parent shortly after birth demonstrate significantly improved cognitive development scores at age five, according to a new study released by the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) in collaboration with Paris Cité and Sorbonne Paris Nord universities, and the CHRU of Tours and CHI of Créteil hospital centers.
The research, which examined outcomes for children born in France, revealed an average increase of 2.3 points on standardized IQ tests for those who benefited from early skin-to-skin care. While seemingly small on an individual level, researchers emphasize the impact is “not negligible when it comes to an average over an entire population,” according to study co-author Ayoub Mitha.
Approximately 7% – over 42,000 – of the more than 600,000 babies born annually in France are premature, highlighting the potential for widespread benefit. The study points to skin-to-skin contact’s role in “reducing separation stress” and “providing a suitable sensory environment” as key factors in protecting brain development and creating a “long-lasting neuroprotective effect.” These early interactions activate “biological and hormonal mechanisms that participate in brain development and the construction of the parent/child emotional bond,” explains researcher Véronique Pierrat, noting there is “no time limit” for beneficial contact.
The findings reinforce recommendations from the World Health Institution (WHO), which since 2022 has advised immediate skin-to-skin care for premature or small babies, citing its “major health benefits.” Researchers also note improved child survival rates in low-income countries linked to the practise.
The study advocates for increased investment in “parental rooms” within neonatal intensive care units to facilitate skin-to-skin contact, addressing current “disparities in practices between care units.” Implementation is described as “inexpensive” and “simple,” requiring primarily professional training and investment in cozy seating for mothers, notably those recovering from cesarean sections. “The cost is training professionals,” Pierrat stated, “and invest in good armchairs, because we often make do with what we have.”
Researchers acknowledge individual parental preferences, emphasizing support for those who find the practice challenging, while underscoring the overall importance of promoting skin-to-skin contact “at the population level.”
